In 1842,Boyd imported from England on one of his ships 5 thoroughbred Stallions
Almack(GB)(1836) by Camel out of Miss Skin
Camel (GB)(1838)by Camel out of Miss Skin
Hambledon(GB)(1838) by Ishmael out of Babel
Merry Pebbles (GB)(1837)by Saracen out of Lady Canford
Cerebus(GB)(1836)(half bred)by Whalebone out of Charlotte
After importing the Stallions at considerable expense, it seems quite likely that Stallions were simply part of Boyd’s elaborate aristocratic charade. He established a bloodhorse stud at Capartee on the headwaters of the Hawkesbury River where Sir John Jamison also had a stud.
Boyd seems to have paid very little attention to breeding and animal husbandry. The only successful sire was Boyd’s Camel and the rest of the others faded from sight as they were most likely used as free-ranging station sires running with mares on his vast un-fenced acreages.
It is well known that Boyd sold large numbers of walers to India and that Boyd & Co leased Bungarribee at Eastern Creek as a preshipment facility.
As further evidence of Boyd’s gross irresponsibility in horse management, the Liquidators in 1847 that “the horse stocks had degenerated and are of little value.”
Boyd’s flamboyant social life style in Sydney also included Homebush races which he supported with the provision of prizemoney. (Horsemen of the First Frontier) (Keith R. Rinney)